When You Open Your Heart and Mind, Study Abroad Fills Them

In preparing students for their experience overseas, we invite them to come with "open hearts and minds". Once here on the ground, we follow that with an invitation to "humbly observe" during their first few weeks, to find their footing and reach inside themselves to figure out what their role in their new environment might be. How will they make the most of all that's available to them to reach their own goals and objectives? Many students accept the invitations and live their months abroad with a combination of intention, openness, courage and curiosity. Ziona King was one such brilliant student, and the results speak for themselves! As much as her heart was filled by her time here in Florence, ours were warmed upon reading her reflection:

"The beginning of my summer was such an incredible one full of many memories and connections. Though I wasn’t able to study abroad for a semester as I had originally planned during my undergrad experience, I wouldn't trade my 4 week summer experience in Florence, Italy for anything else. As a first-gen student, it was certainly a challenge to find summer study abroad programs that aligned with my interests at a financially attainable cost, but by the grace of God and the support of a strong team, it was all made possible. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better way to begin my summer than in Florence, Italy surrounded by countless awe-inspiring sceneries and moments. I’m so glad that I took the leap of faith in booking my flight 2 days before the program was set to begin! 

From taking classes in the beautiful historic Palazzo Guadagni building in Piazza Santo Spirito, visits to learn about the local Feminist Library - Fiesolana2b, to weekend trips to the Vatican Museums, Ravenna, Chiantiland, and Fiesole the moments that I will cherish from this experience are endless. I was also able to expand upon my summer independent research on Decolonizing Joy: Reimagining Love and Creativity in Renaissance Italy. There’s so much laughter, joy, depth, and knowledge that came of just these 4 short weeks that I haven't fully processed about being at such a wonderful place alongside such lovely people. The connections I made, the cultural immersion, and the academic enrichment were beyond what I could have imagined.

Many heartfelt thanks to the team at CIEE Florence for making this experience such an unforgettable one. Their support and dedication created a moment in my life that I will cherish forever. None of this would have been possible without God’s guidance and the incredible support I received along the way. 
Love and Blessings to all! ❤️"

Ziona King
Africana Studies Major, Visual Art Minor at Pomona College
Questbridge Scholar 
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar